Mark E. Smith, Fractious Frontman Of The Fall, Lifeless At 60

Mark E. Smith, the hot-tempered chief of the legendary British post-punk band the Fall, died Wednesday following an extended sickness.

He was 60.

Information of Smith’s dying was introduced by the Fall’s document label, Cherry Purple Information, that includes an announcement by Pamela Vander, the band’s supervisor.

The assertion famous Smith handed away at dwelling, and extra particulars about his dying would comply with within the subsequent few days.

Smith shaped the Fall in 1976 in Manchester and was the one fixed member of the band over its 42-year historical past.

In whole, there have been 66 totally different members of the Fall, with many departing — or being pressured to depart — because of Smith’s notoriously tough character.

Smith was additionally extremely prolific, releasing 32 studio albums with the Fall. The band’s most up-to-date album, “New Details Emerge,” dropped final July to favorable evaluations.

The band cancelled reveals within the U.S. in August after Smith was hospitalized for points regarding his throat, mouth and respiratory system. In late December, extra dates had been cancelled because of Smith’s “full yr of unhealthy well being.”

Quite a few artists and followers influenced by Smith and the Fall mourned his dying on social media.

“Child Driver” director Edgar Wright mentioned Smith was “not merely a legend of indie music, however somebody who, for me, was a gateway into that very style.”

In memoriam: Remembering the well-known figures we misplaced

“Mark E. Smith was the antidote to all that’s boring and mediocre,” English actress Diane Morgan tweeted.

Smith was married thrice: to Brix Smith, who was a member of The Fall from 1983 to 1989; to Saffron Prior, who labored for the Fall’s fan membership; and Elena Poulou, who performed within the band from 2002 to 2016.